Technical Writer II

Zone 5 Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life

401k with company-match

4 weeks paid time off

12 annual company holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies in California is seeking an on-site Early‑Career Technical Writer II to develop and maintain high‑quality documentation for Unpiloted Aerial Systems (UAS). You will translate complex engineering data into clear manuals and procedures, collaborating with engineers, software teams, and program managers.

Ideal candidates have a aerospace/defense documentation background, experience with MadCap Flare and visual tools, and a commitment to industry standards such as AS9100, FAA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of technical writing in aerospace, manufacturing, or defense.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to explain technical information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Exposure to MadCap Flare and Git.
• Experience creating technical illustrations using tools like Composer, Visio, PowerPoint, Photoshop, or Illustrator.

Responsibilities

• Plan, write, and maintain technical documentation for aerospace systems and products, including operation and maintenance manuals, depot-level manuals, specs, and compliance docs.
• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, software developers, system engineers, and technical program managers to gather information and ensure content accuracy.
• Translate engineering data into user-friendly manuals and procedural documentation.
• Collaborate with an established team of technical writers to produce rigorous, clear, and compliant documents.
• Produce technical illustrations, diagrams, and visuals to enhance understanding of complex aerospace systems.
• Help manage documentation repositories and ensure up-to-date document versions for stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and regulations (AS9100, FAA, ITAR) and defense standards in documentation.
• Work with quality assurance and regulatory teams to prepare docs for certifications and audits.
• Continuously improve documentation processes to meet evolving needs.

Skills

Technical writing

Clear communication

Attention to detail

Project management

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communications, or a related field

Tools

MadCap Flare

Git

Composer

Visio

PowerPoint

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting‑edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next‑generation flight systems, you belong here.

We're seeking an on‑site early‑career Technical Writer II to create and maintain high‑quality documentation for our Unpiloted Aerial Systems (UASs). The ideal candidate has a background in aerospace and/or defense documentation, and experience translating technical subject matter into clear, concise, and user‑friendly instructional materials.

You will work closely with senior writers, engineers, technical program managers, manufacturing team members, and other stakeholders to ensure that documentation complies with industry standards and meets the needs of customers, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, write, and maintain technical documentation for aerospace systems and products, including operation and maintenance manuals, depot‑level maintenance manuals, specifications, sustainment procedures, checklists, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, software developers, system engineers, and technical program managers to gather information and ensure the accuracy of content.
• Translate engineering data (for example, CAD models, BOMs, test results, and specifications) into user‑friendly manuals and procedural documentation.
• Collaborate with an established team of technical writers to produce rigorous, logically organized, clear, consumable, and compliant documents.
• Produce technical illustrations, diagrams, and other visual aids to enhance the understanding of complex aerospace systems and workflows.
• Collaborate in and help manage documentation repositories, ensuring controlled and up‑to‑date document versions are available to stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance, where applicable, with aerospace standards and regulations (for example, AS9100, FAA, and ITAR) in technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance, where applicable, with various defense technical documentation style standards, like MIL-STD-38784.
• Work closely with quality assurance and regulatory teams to prepare documentation required for certifications and audits.
• Continuously improve documentation processes to meet evolving team needs, aerospace industry requirements, and customer expectations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience as a technical writer with some of the experience writing technical documentation in the aerospace, manufacturing, or defense industry.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Exposure to enterprise‑level authoring tools (like MadCap Flare) and version control systems (like Git).
• Experience creating technical illustrations and other visuals using tools like Composer, Visio, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and/or Illustrator.

Experience conforming to an established style guide.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of unmanned aerial or aerospace systems, components, and technologies, with the ability to understand engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical schematics.
• Familiarity with engineering processes and software tools, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software (for example, PICOMES), or other aerospace‑specific platforms.
• Experience with aerospace standards and compliance, such as AS9100, FAA, or EASA regulations.
• Experience with or professional exposure to defense specifications.

Pay range for this role

$80,000 - $97,000 USD

What's in it for you:

• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company‑match
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting‑edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E‑Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E‑Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E‑Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.

As set forth in Zone 5 Technologies' Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.